The fire investigator suspects it is gang initiation activity. 

Still in initial stages of investigation, but is it generally a good idea to buy a rental property with pool.  

(For what it's worth, I learned our broker went BK shortly thereafter and I think was also investigated by the SEC for pooling unaccredited investor money into LLC's he'd invest in apartment buildings.

Pretexting is used in investigations, simply walk in, be someone else, maybe make an offer to good to be true or that can't be turned down, just chat with them asking for the owner.

That said you did everything right and limited your liability (I am not sure how much out of pocket expenses you incurred but I usually include in my contracts that I might get some financial relief on my inspections if I uncover a like same disaster and I put out $ for further investigation).

Upon further investigation there were 2 structures on one parcel at one point and that parcel was split at one point and the garage apartment became its own parcel but with the EXACT same mailing address (not 1/2 or anything).

Thinking of purchasing Larry Goins' course, but in the meantime (since his course only offers sources of transactional funding, I want to start investigating on my own.I am a Realtor.

If you care to investigate you can find this through Assessor Site.I have located one property, 1401 8 st s, and it shows up 4 times, each with a different parcel number.

Alan I would google Ray Alcorn's article on performing due diligence on commercial properties (applies to residential as well) and investigate this deal (and all others) thoroughly.

Obviously, his accusation did not go too far as to get the money (that's why I can not press on that), but he did call the cop and they took the dog away for 10 days without much investigation (stupid law) to make sure there is no rabies.